Happy Birthday Dad! - 94 & Still Going Strong! Samuel C. Dove, Sr.

I am fortunate

To have Loving Friends and a

Loving Family

My Dad was born on October 29, 1919. He turned 94 years old today. What an awesome blessing! Doesn't he look handsome wearing the new hat my Mom gave him? To mark this special occasion, I share a tribute I wrote in his honor. It appears in my book of poetry, “Color in Motion,” which features a foreword by drumming legend Max Roach.

My Hero

When I say I’m proud of

Who I am, the people

I come from

I truly mean it

When I say I’m thankful

You’re always there,

Teaching all those lessons,

I truly mean it

When I say I’m proud of your genius, your intellect,

Your craftsmanship,

I truly mean it

When I say your jovial sense of humor

Makes this world a better place,

I truly mean it

Master Bricklayer

Auto Mechanic

Plumber

Carpenter

Handyman

Prolific Gardener                                                                                                  

My Dad.

When I say

I’m proud of who I am

The people I come from,

I truly mean it

Oldest of ten

Father of five

Grandfather of three

Husband of Esther

Life of the party

Evil as a cuss

Impossible jigsaw of contractions

When I say I’m thankful

You’re always there,

Teaching all those lessons,

 

I truly mean it

A very special person

Loves his Scotch and his collards,

His beer and his ribs

A magnet to all children

When I say

I’m proud of

All your accomplishments

I truly mean it

Samuel C. Dove, Sr.

Born 1919

A product of the Old South

Migrated to Philadelphia

An honest, hard-working man

When I say I am truly blessed,

To have a Dad like you,

 I truly mean it.

(Love you Dad. With all my heart.)